The Imperial Grandson's Jade Seal ranked equal to the Crown Prince's Jade Seal.
The Imperial Grandson's Treasure was made of green jade, with five coiled chi dragons on its knob. It measured 9.2 centimeters long, 9.2 centimeters wide, and 7.4 centimeters high. Its inscription, in small seal script, was very simple: "Imperial Grandson's Treasure."
The golden patent was simpler still: an investiture edict made of gold leaf, engraved with the edict's full text. He knew little else about it, but the Crown Prince's golden patent contained roughly ninety percent gold.
Kneeling, Zhao Xu solemnly and painstakingly presented the patent and seal to Su Ziji.
Even the chief grand secretary's presentation of the patent involved several officials, chanting directions and guiding their positions. When the patent and seal reached Su Ziji's hands, excitement filled him.
It was hard not to be excited. As for whether he should accept them?
Unless he had suddenly turned into an idiot and wanted to die, how could he possibly give up now, after coming this far?
Su Ziji accepted the patent and seal and bowed as well.
Boom!
The moment he accepted them, a dragon's roar rang beside his ear. Su Ziji lowered his gaze and saw the phantom of the half Rosewood Pendant floating in his field of vision. But he could not commit the slightest breach of etiquette now, so he ignored it.
By the time they had completed this sequence, a thin sheen of sweat had formed on Su Ziji's forehead-and even on Chief Grand Secretary Zhao Xu's.
Yet both maintained solemn expressions, betraying not the slightest fatigue.
"Let the Imperial Grandson enter the hall and pay his respects," the ceremonial herald intoned. By this point, Su Ziji was already the Imperial Grandson.
He entered the great hall, where bronze tortoises and